Strategic Areas of Focus
Global and National Security
Today鈥檚 national security concerns include whole-of-society problems such as extremism,
biothreats, climate change, disinformation, and cybercrime. National leaders have
underscored the complex nature of contemporary security problems, both foreign and
domestic. Our increasingly complex, globalized, and digitized/networked world demands
robust and interdisciplinary analyses of large scale global and national security
problems. The Global and National Security signature initiative combines research,
community partnerships, academic
programs, and federal funding opportunities to advance USF鈥檚 ranking and national
visibility. Given Tampa Bay is home to MacDill Air Force Base, cutting-edge scientific
and medical centers, major defense industries, international airports, and a thriving
port for international trade, USF is uniquely positioned to achieve prominence in
academic fields related to global and national security.
Security challenges of the 21st century will require and involve diverse expertise from
the humanities and social sciences to STEM. By fostering relationships with military
and government agencies, USF can differentiate and establish itself as a leader and
in disciplines that support the Department of Defense鈥檚 National Defense Strategy.
Furthermore, leveraging USF鈥檚 proximity to US Central Command, US Special Operations
Command, and other regional and statewide assets, such as Cyber 91社区, will aid
in building nationally ranked academic
programs and centers of unique competitive advantage to address some of the world鈥檚
most pressing issues.
By leveraging USF鈥檚 unique academic assets, USF is positioned to provide innovative
solutions to new security threats. Examples of current differentiation include the
Institute of Applied Engineering鈥檚 contract with the U.S. Special Operations Command
at MacDill Air Force Base to provide new discoveries in areas including autonomous
systems, transportation, and infrastructure. Further, the School of Information delivers
the Strategic and Cyber Intelligence Program, a federally designated Intelligence
Community Center for Academic Excellence which is administered by the Office of the
Director of National Intelligence. Various other relevant USF centers and institutes
such as the Center for Analytics and Creativity, the Institute on Russia, the Center
for Entrepreneurship and Counter Extremism, the Institute for the Study of Latin America
and the Caribbean, the Institute on Black Life, the Center for Strategic and Diplomatic
Studies, and programs and activities managed by USF World, provide means to respond
to global and national security challenges.